Transactional Analysis

Transactional Analysis
• Transactional Analysis is a theory developed by Dr. Eric Berne in the
1950's,which is widely researched & discussed till date.

• It is effectively a language within a language; a language of true

meaning, feeling and motive.
Transactional analysis
• The theory outlines how we have developed and treat ourselves,
how we relate and communicate with others, and offers suggestions
and interventions which will enable us to change and grow.
 Transactional analysis
• “ I don’t understand why you’ve not
been submitting the reports that you were
supposed to “.
Parent Ego
• “ My God ! I just hate writing those
boring reports- couldn’t someone else do it
?”
Child Ego
 Transactional analysis - 2

• “ May be , you and I should sit

down and discuss why you are not
performing as efficiently as before
“
Adult Ego State
• “ Yes , I would like to do that so I
can really improve my performance
”.
• Adult Ego State
Ego States – T.A.
• T.A. is a way of understanding behavior in communication
• Three basic ego states define the nature of any transaction
- Parent
- Adult
- Child
Parent, adult, child
• Parent is our 'Taught' concept of life
• Adult is our 'Thought' concept of life
• Child is our 'Felt' concept of life
Parent Ego - State
• Physical - angry or impatient body-language and expressions, finger-
pointing, patronizing gestures, kind, caring.

• Verbal - always, never, for once and for all, judgmental words, critical
words, patronizing language.
Favorite Lines – Parent Ego State
• Right – Wrong, Good – Bad, Never – Always, Sensible – Careless
(Controlling)
• Take Care, Don’t Worry, I will do it for you (Caring/ Nurturing)
Child – Ego State
• Physical - emotionally sad or happy expressions, despair, temper
tantrums, whining voice, rolling eyes, shrugging shoulders, teasing,
delight, laughter, speaking behind hand, raising hand to speak,
squirming and giggling.
Child – Ego State
• I wish,
• I want,
• I don't care,
• Oh no! Not again! (resigned but no anger)
• Things never go right for me (Helplessness)
• Worst day of my life,
• Superlatives, words to impress.
Adult

• Physical - attentive, interested, straight-forward, tilted head, non-

threatening and non-threatened.
• Verbal - why, what, how, who, where and when, how much, in what
way, comparative expressions, reasoned statements, true, false,
probably, possibly, I think, I realize, I see, I believe, in my opinion.
Adult ego
• Logical, Lined experience, common sense
• Actions and words are sensible and well considered
• Seeks information and facts
• Wants to “understand”
How do we diagnose ego states ?
• Words, tone, tempo of speech, expressions, postures, gestures,
breathing, and muscle tone provide clues for diagnosing ego states.
• Parent mode words typically contain value judgments.
• Adult words are clear and definable.
• Free Child mode words are direct and spontaneous.